“It wasn’t a good time for me. Not that night.”
“And now?”
“Now we’ve got a night off.”
“I still want to see you, Stevie. Nothing’s changed.” He wished it had, he really did. But it hadn’t.
She was quiet for a second. Had he scared her off again? Was he still making himself sound like a total idiot?
“Yeah, I’m kinda intrigued by you too, Mr. Politician. Where are you?”
“I’m at home. In Berkshire.”
“Tonight’s out then.”
“No! No, it isn’t. I need to be in London tomorrow anyway, I was just going to leave very early in the morning. But I can leave tonight. I can be there in an hour or so, the roads are quiet at this time.”
“Jesus. You really are keen aren’t you?”
Stevie had no idea why she was doing this, apart from a deepening curiosity as to why this well-spoken, well-bred gentleman was so fascinated by her. She was a rocker, a tattooed tomboy who swore like a man and never wore dresses; she wasn’t his type at all, but for some reason he wouldn’t leave her alone, and she needed to know why. She wanted to know more about him, about who he was and what he was playing at. And Mark was being a complete pain in the arse lately anyway so keeping out of his way was something she was more than happy to do right now.
She’d been with Johnny these past couple of nights and that had been fun, just chilling at his flat after the gigs with a few of the crew guys, drinking beer and listening to Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton – two guitar greats. But she hadn’t been able to get Daniel out of her mind. And she didn’t like to leave things unanswered.
“You’ve still got my address, haven’t you?” Daniel asked, his heart racing at the thought of seeing her again and that was crazy. It wasn’t him, none of this was him but he wanted to see her so badly. A normally rational man, he was experiencing feelings he’d never experienced before. At a time when they should have been kicked into touch way before they’d got to this stage.
“Yeah.”
“You’re not very talkative, are you?”
“Why bother talking now when that’s what we’re gonna do later. Isn’t it? Unless you’ve got other ideas and you’re just luring me to your London pad for sex.”
Just the sound of her saying that made him flinch. He honestly hadn’t even thought about that. Had he?
“Of course we’re just going to talk.”
She laughed and he closed his eyes, putting his head in his hand. He was starting to get a headache. He had a beautiful wife next door and yet all he wanted to do was get out of there and get to London. All he wanted to do was see Stevie.
“I’m at bar round the corner from your place,” Stevie said, a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach getting stronger the more she spoke to this strange man. “Just give me a call when you get here. You’ve got my number now.”
And then she was gone. And all Daniel wanted to do was get to her.
***
The music in the bar was heavy, loud and just what Stevie wanted to listen to. It matched her mood. The band had one night off in the middle of their Wembley gigs but, as usual, there was no such thing as a night in front of the TV for this lot. They were all in a bar they hung out at frequently, with some of the guys from the crew, just having a few drinks and playing some pool, and it was no secret that the band hung out here when they were in London so a fair amount of people – mainly women - who wanted to catch a glimpse or try their luck with the guys were also hanging around, but only Jack seemed to be showing any of them any interest. Mark was playing pool with Colin, Johnny was deep in conversation with some of the crew guys and Billy, well, Billy was just Billy.
Stevie was quite happy to just sit there and watch everything going on around her. She was waiting for a call. She had no idea why she was waiting for it, or what she was going to do when she got it, she just knew that she needed to get out of here for a while. Mark was messing with her head big time and she was confused and tired of it.
“You ok?”
She looked up as Billy sat down next to her, smiling that lovely, calming smile of his.
“Can I ask you something, Billy?”
“’Course you can.”
“How do you stick it out here with those three? Don’t they just get to you sometimes? I mean, you’re so different.”
“Is that a bad thing?” he smiled.
She smiled back. “No. I just don’t know how you put up with them because they drive me nuts. Doesn’t Ava give you shit about it?”
“All the time, babe. But she also understands that this was my dream and I’m not giving it up for anyone. Not even her. It gives me a chance to let the other side of me out to play sometimes.”
“At least you’ve got another side. I’m not sure those three have.”
Billy looked at her. “Have you spoken to Johnny?”
“I speak to him every day, Billy.”
“No, I mean, really spoken to him.”
“What are you talking about?”
He looked away, taking a drink from his bottle of lager. “You should talk to him, that’s all.”
She sat back and tucked her legs up underneath her, watching Mark as he leant over the pool table, ready to take a shot. He had the most perfect arse, and she wasn’t the only one watching him either. He had the usual fan club hanging around, it was just a little strange that he wasn’t taking advantage of it. Not that Jack was complaining. He was quite happily picking up the overspill.
“Everything ok with you and Mark?” Billy went on.
“Why does everyone assume there is a me and Mark?”
“Easy mistake to make, Stevie.”
She said nothing.
“Don’t you want anything from it though?” Billy went on. “Whatever this relationship is between you two?”
She looked at him again. “What is this, Billy? I didn’t come here for counselling, I came here for a drink. And the longer I’m here the more I’m needing.”
“Do you ever wonder why his behaviour’s changing though, Stevie? Why both his and Johnny’s behaviour’s changing?”
“Jesus, Billy. You’re starting to do my head in as much as the rest of them now. Do you have a point here?”
He shrugged, taking another drink. “Do you never think about settling down?”
“You’re beginning to sound like your wife. And no, not really. I love what I do. I love this life I have.”
“Do you love Mark?”
Where the hell had that come from?
“Ok. Enough of the questions, Billy.” She was saved from anymore of his pop psychology by her mobile ringing. She pulled it out of her pocket and checked the caller I.D. - Daniel Madison. “I’ve got to take this. In private.”
Billy held his hands up in surrender and got up, leaving her to it. Stevie watched him leave before saying anything. “Hey. You managed to get away then?”
“You make it sound like something’s going on.”
“Isn’t it?” Stevie asked, pulling the bandana off her head and running her fingers through her short, tousled hair. “You’re telling me your wife’s ok with you coming down here a few hours early to meet up with some tattooed female roadie who works with a rock band?”
“Now you’re making it sound sordid.”
“Are you there? At your place?” Stevie asked, ignoring his comment.
“Yes. I am.”
“And you’re ok with me turning up on your doorstep?”
“You know the answer to that. How long are you going to be?”
“Give me fifteen minutes.”
She ended the call and slipped the ‘phone back into the pocket of her jeans, checking her watch.
“Who were you talking to?” Mark asked, sitting down next to her and swinging his feet up onto the table in front of them.
“Since when did you start screening my calls?”
“I was only asking.” He took a long swig from his bottled lager.
<
br /> “It’s got nothing to do with you.”
“Are we going back to mine tonight then?”
She looked at him. “You are kidding, right?”
“Jesus, no, of course I’m not! Come on, baby, we haven’t been together for days now.”
“Two days, Mark. Two bloody days. And that’s because you’ve been acting like a jerk. First I’ve got Johnny going all weird on me and then you start.”
“Didn’t stop you hanging out with him though, did it?” Mark said, kicking the table away from him.
Stevie stared at him. “Have you any idea how much you sound like a spoilt child right now? Have you heard yourself? What is wrong with you two? He’s your best friend, stop bitching about him.”
“He’s trying to take you away from me, Stevie.”
“Ok, whoa, stop right there. Firstly, nobody is trying to take me away from anyone because I’m not with anyone, alright? And secondly, whatever it is that’s going on with you two, leave me out of it. You’re both making me crazy and I’m not in the mood to deal with it right now.” She got up, downing the last of her beer. “I’m outta here.”
“Where you going?”
“Like I said, Mark, it’s got nothing to do with you.”
“Jesus, Stevie, what’s happening to us?”
She stopped and looked at him as he got up and came over to her, and she didn’t push him away as he pulled her closer, kissing her slowly.
“Nothing’s happening to us, Mark,” she said, pulling away from him slightly, her voice quiet as she looked up into his eyes, Billy’s question now ringing in her ears. “It’s just one of those things.”
“What do you mean, it’s just one of those things?”
She broke free of his grip and started walking away from him.
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean? Stevie, come on! What’s that supposed to mean?”
But she didn’t want to talk to him; she didn’t even want to look at him. She wanted to get away from him - and this world - even if it was just for a few hours because things were changing and she was confused; a feeling she didn’t much like. Maybe time away would help her focus, get her head straight. And maybe it wouldn’t. After all, where was she going? To some high profile politician’s home to sit and have a chat? What the fuck was that all about? But she wasn’t going to think about it too much because if she did, she was going to realise how crazy it all sounded, turn around and walk straight back into the just-as-crazy world she was leaving behind for tonight. Catch-22. She might as well go with the risky choice. Better the devil you know wasn’t hitting home this time. She’d go see Daniel Madison. From one crazy guy to another.
***
Daniel was nervous. He was so nervous he almost felt sick. What the hell was he doing? He’d almost ran out of the house, leaving Samantha with some garbled explanation about how he had to get to London straightaway, and she hadn’t even questioned it. Mind you, he hadn’t exactly given her a chance. And the worst thing was, he didn’t even feel guilty.
Any second now she’d be here, this loud and beautifully different woman who’d turned his world upside down, and he couldn’t wait to see her. He couldn’t wait. Even if he still didn’t know why.
The sound of his ‘phone ringing made him jump. He was so on edge it was ridiculous, his hands shaking as he tried to answer because it was her. It was Stevie.
“Are you ok?” he asked, peering out of the window of his large yet homely flat.
“I’ve just pulled up outside now.”
He squinted as he looked down from the window. “Are you on a motorbike?”
“Yeah. What’s so strange about that?”
“You’re on the ‘phone.”
“Oh, quit with the health and safety speech. I’d parked up before I called you. Let me in, will you?”
He pressed the buzzer to open the front entrance. “Come straight up, top floor. I’ll leave the door open for you.”
What was he supposed to do now? Should he get them some drinks? God knows he needed one. Walking into the kitchen he checked the fridge and cupboards to see what he had in but there wasn’t much there. A single bottle of wine, a half bottle of vodka, a little tonic water. He hadn’t really stocked up because he hadn’t been expecting anyone. He usually ate out whenever he was here.
Hearing the front door slam shut he walked back into the living room.
“Whoa...this is some place you have here,” she said, looking around her. He watched as she did a full 360 degree turn, taking everything in from the huge fireplace to the ornate light fittings and oversized sofas.
She was dressed in jeans, black t-shirt and those heavy biker boots she seemed to like wearing. It was also the first time he’d seen her without the bandana round her head, her hair a vibrant, almost shocking white blonde with vivid red and black streaks running through it. It was short and tousled, a side fringe falling slightly over one of her incredible blue eyes and as far as Daniel was concerned she was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. He felt almost breathless as he looked at her.
“What you staring at?” she asked, putting her biker’s jacket and helmet down on the dining table.
He stood there, his hands in his pockets as he stared at her. It was like he was rooted to the spot. “You,” he said. “I’m looking at you.”
“Well, don’t. It’s creeping me out.”
She sat down on one of the oversized sofas, curling her legs up underneath her. “You got any beer?”
“I...I don’t know.” He pushed a hand through his hair, his stomach a knot of nerves. “I’ve got wine. And vodka. I’ve got some vodka...”
“Great. Vodka would be good.”
He quickly got the drinks and went back into the living room. She seemed to have made herself very much at home on his sofa, flicking through the music channels on his TV.
“You can sit down you know,” she said, looking up at him, taking the glass he held out to her. “I won’t bite.” She smiled. “Not unless you want me to.”
Jesus. He had no idea what to do next, this was totally new territory to him.
He knocked back half his glass of vodka and tonic in one go, feeling it go straight to his head.
She smiled at him again, taking a large drink herself. “You nervous or something?”
“A little, yes. I...I’ve never done anything like this before.”
She looked at him. “And what exactly is this, Daniel?”
He sat down on the arm of the sofa, staring into his drink. “I have no idea.”
Stevie put her glass down on the table in front of her and knelt up, resting her arms on his knee. “You said you wanted to talk to me so, talk.”
He looked at her. She was the most incredible looking woman he’d ever set eyes on, despite the tattoos and the clothes and the attitude. Or should that be, because of?
“I don’t know what to say to you, Stevie.”
She rested her chin in her hand and smiled at him. “Do I scare you?”
He laughed, a tiny part of him starting to relax. “Yes. A little bit.”
“I’m not really as bad as I look y’know.”
“You don’t look bad. You don’t look bad at all.”
She sat back, crossing her legs. “So, what do you want to know?”
“You make it sound like a job interview.”
“I don’t know what you want from me, Daniel. I don’t even understand why I’m here. And I’m not sure you do either.”
He got up, taking another drink. His head was a mess, his well-ordered life was being turned on it’s head and he was scared. He was scared of what he’d done and what he might do next because he was losing control by the second.
He turned around and looked at her. “I just want you, Stevie. That…that’s all I want.”
She didn’t flinch, the expression on her face not changing at all. “Why? Why do you want me? Because I’m different? Because you’re bored with your perfect life and fancy something you’ve nev
er had before?”
“Stevie...”
“No, you see, this isn’t sitting right with me. I don’t understand any of it.”
He downed the rest of his vodka, leaning back against the wall, closing his eyes. “Neither do I.”
She got up, walking over to him. “We’re from different worlds, Daniel, you and me. So why are we here? Why are you so interested in me?”
He looked at her, her blue eyes staring at him with an intensity that made him feel more nervous than he’d ever felt in his life.
“I don’t know. And I have no idea what’s supposed to happen next.”
“What do you want to happen?”
“I can’t answer that.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
He moved away from her, walking into the kitchen. “Maybe you should go, Stevie. I shouldn’t have asked you to come here, it isn’t fair on you. It isn’t fair on Samantha.”
She followed him into the kitchen, pulling herself up onto the counter top. “Is that your wife?”
He turned to look at her, nodding. It was the first time he’d really thought about Samantha since he’d left her just a couple of hours ago. The first time he’d felt any guilt.
“Ok,” Stevie sighed, jumping down from the counter top. “I’ll get out of here.”
He watched as she walked back into the living room, knowing it was the right thing to do. But the second he heard the front door opening, realising she was about to leave, realising this might be the last chance he had to see her, he knew he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t let her go.
“Stevie!” He ran after her, catching her outside in the corridor. “Stevie, wait. Please!”
She turned round. “What?”
“Come back inside.”
“Look, Daniel, I’ve just left a situation where I’m hanging out with guys who don’t know what the hell they want and I really can’t be bothered to spend time with another one.”
“I’m sorry; I really am but, please. Just come back inside.”
She was tired, she was confused, she didn’t have a clue what was going on or why she was even here, but something was making her want to find out. Something she couldn’t explain. Just looking at this strange and different man from a world so far removed from the one she was used to was making her want to stay, and she could stand there and try and analyse a situation she couldn’t understand or she could just go with it. See where it led. So she followed him back inside, kicking the door shut behind her, throwing her jacket and helmet back down onto the sofa as she sat down on the arm of it. Daniel pushed a hand through his hair, looking down at the floor.
See You at the Show Page 11
